Apparatus for mounting a transformer

ABSTRACT

Improved apparatus for mounting one or more transformers, in cluster fashion, about an upstanding pole support and the like. The apparatus is generally comprised of at least one supportengaging bearing plate, a transformer mounting bracket slidably connected to the bearing plate and an adjustable link subassembly slidably and pivotally interlocked to the bearing plate for facilitating unitized handling and quick emplacement of the bearing plate about a pole as well as for providing fine and extensive adjustment of the emplaced bearing plate about the pole.

United States Patent [191 Kautz [54] APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING ATRANSFORMER [75] Inventor: Leon F. Kautz, Hayward, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation, Oakland, Calif.

22 Filed: Sept.24, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 183,526

[52] US. Cl ..248/22l, 248/230 [51] Int. Cl ..Fl6m 13/02 [58] Field ofSearch ..248/221, 231, 230, 248/224, 225, 65; 174/163 [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,374,978 3/1968 Salmon et al ..248/22l3,258,250 6/1966 McMullin ..248/225 X [111 3,734,438 [451 May 22,1973

3,221,892 12/1965 Morcheles et al. ..248/225 X 3,497,171 2/1970 Farmeret al ..248/22l FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,343,400 10/1963 France..248/231 Primary Examiner-J. Franklin Foss Att0rneyPaul E. Calron [57]ABSTRACT Improved apparatus for mounting one or more transformers, incluster fashion, about an upstanding pole support and the like. Theapparatus is generally comprised of at least one support-engagingbearing plate, a transformer mounting bracket slidably connected to thebearing plate and an adjustable link subassembly slidably and pivotallyinterlocked to the bearing plate for facilitating unitized handling andquick emplacement of the bearing plate about a pole as well as forproviding fine and extensive adjustment of the emplaced bearing plateabout the pole.

10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PAIENIM ZE 3,734,438

' SHEET 1 [1F 5 FIG-5- INVENTOR.

F I G. l LEON F. KAUTZ zzuifi.

ATTORNEY PATENIEL, HAY 2 21075 SHEET 2 BF 5 INVENTOR LEW 1F, WAUTZATTORN EY PATENTEL MY 2 21975 SHEET 3 BF 5 FIG.4

INVENTOR. LEDN F. KAUTZ ATTORNEY PATENTEL HLYEZIQYS SHEET [1F 5INVENTOR. LEON F. KAUTZ F I G. 8

ATTORNEY PATENTELMQZIQH 3 734,438

SHEET 5 [IF 5 INVENTOR. L LEON F. KAUTZ ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR MOUNTINGA TRANSFORMER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to anapparatus for mounting one or more transformers about a pole. Moreparticularly, it relates to an improved transformer pole mountingapparatus or device advantageously made up, as per each transformer tobe mounted, of a bearing plate, a transformer mounting bracket and anadjustable link subassembly for effecting clamping engagement of thebearing plate about a pole at a preselected position thereon.

Prior transformer pole mounting devices which permitted adjustableclamping engagement of the device about the pole also tended to permitor failed adequately to guard against accidental disconnection of thedevice therefrom. Examples of such prior apparatus are shown in US. Pat.No. 2,708,087 to Blackstone granted on May 10, 1955; U.S. Pat. No.3,374,978 to Salmon et al. granted Mar. 26, 1968, and US. Pat. No.3,497,171 to Farmer et al. granted Feb. 24, i970.

The improved transformer pole mounting device of the present inventionis provided with an improved pole bearing plate and unique yet separatetransformer support brackets slidably connected to the plate. A noveladjustable link subassembly is operatively associated with the bearingplate and support brackets for clampingly holding the plate about apole. By reason of the adjustable link subassembly of the device it canbe readily handled as a unitized assembly whether disconnected fromabout a pole or connected thereabout, thereby facilitating theemplacement of the device about the pole at a preselected positionwithout the danger of the device dropping away from the pole duringinstallation and use. In other words, a number of the mounting devicesaccording to this invention can be assembled out of contact with thepole and then placed on such pole at any desired location, in abelt-like manner, and affixed in place by a suitable tie means, such asa tie bolt later described, or, after assembly or placement on a pole,the plurality of devices can be adjusted vertically by loosening andtightening of the tie means, all without danger of disconnection ofindividual elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary purpose of the instant invention isto provide an improved adjustable transformer pole mounting device forclampingly attaching a transformer to a pole at a desired positionthereon.

The device is generally comprised of a bearing plate adapted to engageboth a transformer mounting bracket slidably and interlockably connectedthereto and a pole.

The device also includes an adjustable link means or subassembly adaptedto be rotatably or pivotally and slidably interconnected to the bearingplate for enabling initial and loose assembly of the plate about thepole and for effecting clamping engagement of the device about the pole.If desired, in a particular embodiment a link subassembly can be made upof selectively coupled and interlocked links for extending the overallcircumferential extension of a link assembly about a pole.

The height of a bearing plate in supporting a transformer of greaterheight can be minimized such that a part of the bracket connected to theplate and opposed portions of the plate all lie in a common plane so asto define an acute angle between the plate and the bracket.

By reason of the slidable interlock of a bracket element with a givenplate and by reason of the pivotal and slidable interlock of the linkmeans therewith, a bearing plate advantageously includes locking meansfor preventing disconnection of a link assembly or bracket elementtherefrom.

Even though the various elements of the device of the instant inventionare preferably made up of aluminum extrusions other appropriatemanufactured materials can be used.

Although the device is particularly useful for mounting one or aplurality of transformers about a pole it is not intended to be limitedthereto, but is useful for mounting other devices in a similar manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an aerial perspective viewof an upstanding pole provided with a preferred embodiment of atransformer pole mounting device of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged aerial perspective view of a slightly modifiedform of the device with certain parts in exploded relation and takenfrom a position on the blind side of the perspective view in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view taken within thebounds of line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG.3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 3 andillustrates a slightly modified form of the apparatus of the instantinvention;

FIG. 7 is an aerial fragmentary perspective view of another embodimentof the apparatus of the instant invention with certain parts shown inexploded relation and with other parts shown in dotted lines;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 7 andillustrates the view rotated about relative to the view in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is en enlarged perspective view with certain parts removed andtaken within the bounds of circumscribing line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view, with parts addedand a part removed, of a certain portion of the apparatus as viewedalong line 10-10 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 1l11 ofFIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With further reference to the drawings,particularly FIGS. 1-6 thereof, a preferred embodiment of the instantinvention will be described which illustrates an adjustable device 10for clampingly mounting three transformers in cluster fashion about anupstanding pole of circular cross-section, such as a wood pole, at apreselected position A thereon. The illustrated device generallycomprises a plurality of three bearing plates 12 and a pair oftransformer support brackets 14 vertically spaced from each other andslidably and interlockably connected to each one of the three bearingplates. The device also includes a series of two adjustable and pivotallink means or subassemblies 16 and 16' vertically spaced relative toeach other. Each one of the two series of link subassemblies is made upof various link elements, etc., which extend between and Y areinterconnected to the plurality of the three plates in a unique mannerfor effecting initial placement of the three plates about the pole at adesired position thereon such as A in FIGS. 1-2 and subsequent clampingengagement of the three plates thereabout at A.

As will become more apparent hereinafter, device is of flexible unitizedconstruction whether installed about a pole by way of its series of twolink subassemblies 16 and 16 or asssembled apart therefrom.

Three plates 12 are preferably disposed about the pole such thatadjoining plates 12 of the three plates on the pole are angularly spaced90 relative to each other as indicated at Y in FIG. 1. Because of the 90spacing between adjoining plates endmost plates 12 of the three platesprovide ample clearance space C on the order of 180 for the operator onthe opposite side of the pole as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7-8. Suchclearance C enables the operator to easily reach any one of the threeplates 12 of device 10 at A such as for mounting or dismounting atransformer T relative to a plate 12 as will be further described below.

Another embodiment of device 10' of the instant invention is illustratedin FIGS. 7-1 1. Corresponding parts of devices 10 and 10' of the instantinvention have like reference numerals in the manner depicted in FIGS.1-6 and 7-11.

The plates 12, brackets 14 and certain elements of a series of linksubassemblies 16 or 16 all of a given de vice 10 are preferably made upof a suitable grade of aluminum extrusion material thereby facilitatingthe manufacture and handling of the device of the instant inventionduring its use.

Inasmuch as each one of a plurality of three: bearing plates 12 ofillustrated device 10 is of identical construction, a description of oneof the three plates will suffice for all unless otherwise specified.Similarly each one of the pair of brackets 14 associated with a givenplate 12 of device 10 are of substantially identical con struction aswell as each one of the two link subassemblies 16 and 16' individuallyinterconnected to the three plates. Thus a description of one of thepair of brackets 14 of device 10 or one of the series of twosubassemblies 16 and 16' will suffice for all unless otherwisespecified.

In an advantageous embodiment of the instant invention, device 10 iscomprised of a bearing plate 12 preferably of one piece extrudedconstruction having an arcuate shape in transverse section forapplication to a pole of generally circular configuration in transversesection. Opposed side edges of a plate are provided with ribs 18 fullyextending between the ends thereof. Opposed ribs ofa plate 12 preferablyproject outward from and normal to the outer convex face thereof. Eachof the opposed ribs 18 of plate 12 is of generally triangularconfiguration in transverse section as best indicated in FIGS. 4-5. Anopposed rib 18 of a plate 12 is comprised of an outer reduced tonguedikerib element 20 and an inner grooved element 22 integrally connectedthereto. Inner grooved element 22 has an elongated keyhole-type slot orgroove 24 having an enlarged inner open portion 25 and a reduced outerpor tion or entry channel 25' in direct open communication therewith asbest indicated in FIGS. 3-5. Certain adjoining surface portions of thetongue and grooved elements of a rib 18 are of reversed curvilinearextent so as to define a dovetail shape 23' in transverse section asbest shownin FIGS. 4 and 5.

A bracket 14, preferably of one-piece extruded construction, includes aweb 27 and a leg section 26 extending from each end of such web 27, andis adapted to be connected to plate 12 at the inner ends of such legs 26and to support or partially support a laterapplied transformer T at web27. Each mutually facing or inner surface 26' of a leg 26 of bracket 14is provided with a pair of spaced flanges 28 and 30 which cooperate toform a dovetailed recess 36 to receive dovetail element 23' of rib 18 insnug, slidable relationship and which extend substantially the fullwidth of the leg. Flange 30 has an enlarged outer portion 34 of circularcross-section adapted to be fitted within slot 24 of rib 18 in a snug,slidable arrangement, so that there is in effect a doubletongue-and-groove connection of bracket 14 to plate 12 as best indicatedin FIG. 4.

The web 27 of bracket 14 is provided with an enlarged inwardly facingintermediate portion 38 that acts to reinforce the bracket when atransformer T is connected to the outwardly facing side of the web 27 ofthe bracket upon passage of a suitable fastener 41 through an aperture40 of the web in conventional fashion as indicated in FIGS. l-2. Inorder to minimize the height of a plate 12, the bottom edge or surfaceof either leg of lower bracket 14 and opposed portions of the associatedplate 12 normally all lie in a common vertical plane and can be arrangedrelative to each other so as to define a vertical acute angle betweenthe bottom edge of bracket 14 and the opposed portions of the associatedplate 12 when the lower bracket 14 is connected to a given plate in themanner depicted in FIG. 1. One advantageous angle has been found to be30 as indicated at X in FIG. 1. Thus when the lower bracket of a pair ofbrackets 14 is disposed at such an acute angle device 10 will mount atransformer T of somewhat greater height than plate 12.

The device of the instant invention includes an adjustable linksubassembly 16 that advantageously extends between a pair of plates 12and is pivotally interconnected to each for clampingly holding theassembly about a pole at a predetermined position thereon as illustratedat A in FIGS. 1-2. The link subassembly 16 in this embodiment isgenerally comprised of a pair of arcuate shaped links 42 verticallyspaced from each other. Each link 42 extends between and is pivotallyinterconnected to adjacent or opposed ribs 18 between endmost andintermediately disposed plates 12. In order to facilitate pivotalconnection of a link 42 to the rib 18 of a given plate 12 each end oflink 42 includes an enlarged rod-like portion 44 that fully extendstransversely of the link and that has a greater diameter than thethickness of the intermediate portion thereof as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.Enlarged rod-like portion 44 at either end of link 42 has a diameterthat substantially corresponds to but is somewhat less than the diameterof the enlarged groove 25 of grooved portion 22 of a rib 18, and isadapted to be slidably engaged therein. The intermediate portion of alink 42 has a thickness somewhat less than the neck 25' of the keyholegroove 24 of a rib 18. Therefore, the enlarged rod-like end 44 of a link42 can be pivotally or hingedly interlocked to the grooved portion of arib 18 of a given plate 12.

The link subassembly is also advantageously comprised of a pair of endor stud links 46, a spacer or intermediate link 48 of arcuate shape intransverse section and two bolt nut assemblies 50 for adjustably andreleasably interconnecting the pair of stud links 46 and spacer link 48together as shown in FIGS. 2-3. For a reason that will become moreapparent hereinafter each link 46 is of reversed curvilinear form intransverse section. One arcuate end of a stub link 46 is provided withan apertured radial-like flange 52 that projects outwardly of the outeror convex side thereof. The opposite arcuate end of a stub link isprovided with an enlarged rod-like flange 54 that extends the full widthof the associated stub link as best depicted in FIG. 3. The rod-likeflange 54 of the stub link is adapted to be slidably engaged in groove25 of a rib 18, and the link 46 then extends outwardly through reducedor neckedin groove 25' of rib 18, so that stub link 46 is then pivotallyand interlockably connected to the grooved portion 22 of an outer rib 18of an endmost plate 12, as shown in FIGS. 2-3.

By reason of a stub link 46 being of reversed curvilinear extent, theflanged end of the stub link on the concave side thereof is providedwith a planar portion 56 for tangentially engaging a peripheral surfaceportion of a pole P upon clamping engagement of device about the poleduring installation thereof in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2-3.Groove 24 of rib 18 is located intermediate of the grooved portionthereof and the rod-like end 54 of a link 46 is offset radially outwardof the planar portion 56 thereof, so that the rod-like flanged end 54 ofthe link is pivotally connected to rib 18 without interfering with thetangential engagement of planar portion 56 with the outer peripheralsurface portion of a pole upon installation of the device thereabout.

Each arcuate spacer link 48 is provided with a radially disposedapertured flange 52 that projects outwardly from the convex sidethereof. A bolt-nut assembly 50 is passed through aligned apertures ofadjacent flanged ends of adjoining links 46 and 48 in a known manner inorder to effect mounting of device 10 about a pole P as will besubsequently described.

Depending upon the diameter of a pole P and depending upon the overallarcuate extent of a pair of stub links 46 relative to the diameter ofthe pole, spacer link 48 can be omitted, if desired. As indicated inFIG. 2 a lower link subassembly 16' includes a pair of stub links 46' ofgreater arcuate extent than the pair of stub links 46 of upper linksubassembly 16. Thus lower link subassembly 16 merely requires a singlebolt-nut assembly 50 for effecting clamping connection of device 10about a pole.

During assembly of device 10 of the instant invention an upperintermediate link 42 is preferably pivotally interconnected to adjacentoutwardly disposed ribs 18 and between intermediate and endmost plates12 prior to slidable interlocked connection of an upper bracket 14 tothe intermediate plate of the three plates 12. On the other hand, alower bracket 14 is slidably interconnected to its associated ribs ofits respective intermediate plate 12 prior to pivotal interlockedconnection of a lower link 42 to outwardly facing adjacent ribs betweenintermediate and endmost plates of the three plates. Moreover, an upperstub link 46 is pivotally connected to an outwardly facing rib 18 of anendmost plate 12 prior to an upper bracket 14 being slidably interlockedto opposed ribs 18 of the given endmost plate. Similarly, lower bracket14 is slidably interlocked to an endmost plate of device 10 prior toinsertion of rod-like flanged end 54 of lower stub link 46 or 46' intogroove 24 of outwardly facing rib 18 of the endmost plate 12, and priorto insertion of rod-like flanged end 44 of a lower intermediate link 42into groove 25 of respective inner rib 18 of the endmost plate. It canbe seen that, when assembled as described above, leg portions 26 in eachinstance abut or rest upon portions of links 42, 46 and 46 and arethereby vertically retained in position, and are prevented from slippingdownwardly when installed on a pole.

In order to further assure that upper and lower brackets 14 as well asupper and lower links 42 and 42 or 46 and 46' remain connected to theirassociated ribs 18 of a given plate 12 during assembly of device 10, alocking pin 62 can be forceably inserted in conventional fashion in theenlarged groove 25 of a rib l8 exteriorly of the brackets and inks asindicated in FIGS. 2-3. Instead of a locking pin 62, upper longitudinalend portions 64 of the grooved element of 22 of a rib 18 can be upsetand deformed towards each other by an appropriate pinch-type crimpingtool (not shown) so as to cause partial collapse of an upper end section66 of keyhole groove 24 in the manner shown in FIG. 6. Such partialcollapse of an upper end section of the groove 24 of a rib of a givenplate 14 reduces the size of the end section of the groove and therebyeffectively prevents disassembly of the same during use of device 10 asshown in FIG. 6. Although the lower end of plate 12 is not shown in FIG.6, it is to be understood that the lower longitudinal end of the groovedelement 22 of a rib can be deformed in similar fashion. Apart from thelocking pin 62 and deformed section 64 described above, any appropriatelocking means can be used for positively holding a bracket 14 and links42 and 46 or 42 and 46' assembled to their respective plate 12 of adevice of the instant invention.

It is to be understood that device 10 during mounting thereof about apole P is preferably comprised of a pair of like link assemblies 16 and16 or 16' and 16' instead of dissimilar units 16 and 16', as describedabove.

-Therefore, for the purpose of simplicity it is assumed that device 10is provided with upper and lower link subassemblies 16 for effectingmounting of device 10 about a pole P as will now be described.

During mounting of device 10 about a pole, the overall circumferentialextent of the device is selected relative to the diameter of the pole sothat a sufficient gap G is allowed between opposed surfaces of adjacentflanges 52 and 58, for instance, of adjoining links 46 and 48 of a givenlink subassembly 16 to assure that the device can be connected about apole P and drawn into tight clamping engagement thereabout. A preferredmethod for mounting a device 10 about a pole is to disconnect at leastone bolt assembly 50 of the upper and lower link subassemblies 16whereby device 10 is readily flexible. Such disconnection of device 10enables the operator to grasp and hold the device at one end thereof asif it were made up of a series of interconnected chain link elements.Moreover, by reason of the rod-like flange ends 44 or 54 of a link 42 or46 of a given link subassembly 16 having sufficient transverse extent,the links 42 and 46 of a link subassembly 16 effectively restrainflexible movement of the disconnected device in a direction generallylongitudinal thereof. l-Ience, flexibility in a limited direction ofdisconnected device 10 advantageously enables the operator to firmly andcontrollably grasp the device during its placement about the pole at A.

As indicated in FIG. 1, the upper end of a plate 12 can be provided witha triangular shaped opening 67. The opening enables the operator toinitially hang the device in open position on a hook (not shown) locatedat the predetermined position A of the pole. Initially hanging device byway of such hook relieves the operator from carrying a substantial partof the weight of the device thereby enabling the device to be initiallybut loosely held on pole P at position A. After initial positioning ofdevice 10 around pole P at A, the operator passes a bolt-nut assemblythrough aligned apertures of adjacent flanges 52 and 58 of adjoininglinks 46 and 48 of a given link subassembly 16 for interconnecting thedisconnected endmost plates of device 10 about the pole, thereby looselyassembling the device thereabout. Upon selective tightening of either orboth bolt-nut assemblies 50 of a given link subassembly 16, device 10 isprogressively drawn into tight clamping engagement about the outerperipheral portion of pole P at A.

The concave sides of a plate 12 or spacer link 48 preferably have aradius of curvature that substantially corresponds to the radius of apole P so as to assure maximum uniform clamping engagement of a deviceabout the pole. However, the oncave side of a plate 12 can have acurvature somewhat different than that of a pole and sufficient clampingengagement of the device and the pole P will still be obtained uponsufficient tightening of a bolt-nut assembly 50. By reason of adjustableattachment of device 10 about pole P into clamping engagement therewithupon selective tightening of one or more bolt-nut assemblies 50 asdescribed, the device can support one or more transformers on the polein the manner shown in FIGS. 1-2 without the danger of the devicedislodging from A.

As indicated in FIGS. 7-11, device 10' advantageously constitutesanother embodiment of the instant invention. Device 10 is comprised ofupper and lower link assemblies 70 (only one of which is shown for thesake of brevity in FIGS. 7-8) for clampingly engaging the plurality ofthree plates 12 thereof about pole P at A A link assembly 70 isgenerally comprised of a pair of end links 72 of approximately S-shapedconfiguration and an intermediate elongated and multigrooved link 74 forcircumferentially selectively intercoupling the end links 72 together.Each longitudinal end of an end link 72 is provided with a rod-likeflange 76. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, multigrooved link 74 is providedwith a series of four longitudinally spaced openended keyhole grooves78. Each groove 78 extends transversely of a link 74 and opens orprojects inwardly from the back or concave side thereof.

In assembly, a rod-like flanged end 76 of a link 72 is inserted andpivotally connected to a preselected groove 78 of link 74 in the mannerbest shown in FIG. 10. When the terminal rod-like flanged end 76 of anend link 72 is pivotally and interlockably connected to the groove 24 ofthe associated inner grooved rib element 22 of a given endmost orintermediate plate 12, adjacent ribs 18 of such plates are pivotallyinterconnected together by way of links 72, 74 and 72 as illustrated inFIG. 8.

In order to prevent disconnection and to lockingly connect links 72 and74 in assembly, there is provided a bendable locking strap 80 ofaluminum or steel, having an elongated aperture 82 adapted to receivelink 72, or in other words, to enable strap or elongated ring 80 toslide over and fit around link 72 and its flanged rod-like end 76. Suchstrap is slipped onto link 72 and thereafter one flanged end 76 of link72 is inserted into a preselected groove 78 of multigrooved link 74.Strap 80 is then manually pushed into abutment against the edges of suchgroove 78 to enclose flange 76, as illustrated in FIGS. 7-8 and 10. Thetwo ends of strap 80 are then folded or bent over the ends of flange 76and the end surfaces of link 74 to lock the links 72 and 74 inrelationship with each other, while permitting free relative pivotalmovement.

Link subassembly is also comprised of a second pair of end links 72, apair of approximately L-shaped links 86 and a bolt-nut assembly 87. EachL-shaped link 86 of the pair of links includes a leg section 87' ofarcuate form in transverse section having a multigrooved portion 88 atthe free end thereof. The multigrooved portion 88 of a link 86 ispreferably made up of three transversely extending open ended groovesthat are longitudinally spaced relative to each other. Each groove 90 isof approximately keyhole configuration in transverse section andprojects outwardly from the concave or backside of link leg section 87.A groove 90 has a size that substantially corresponds to the size of thekeyhole groove 24 of aplate 12 whereby one flanged end 76 of link 72 canbe freely pivotally connected to a groove of the grooved portion 88 oflink 86 and the second flanged end 76 to groove 24. The other legsection 92 of link 86 projects radially outward from the convex outerside thereof as shown in FIGS. 79. Leg section 92 of a link 86 has anaperture 94 for receiving a bolt of a bolt-nut assembly 87 when adjacentflanges of links 86 are interconnected together during installation ofdevice 10' about pole P at A.

Strap 80 lockingly holds a pivotal connection between the flanged end 76of link 72 and a selected grooved portion of the multigrooved portion 88of link 86 in the same fashion as for lockingly holding the pivotalconnection between links 72 and 74 as aforedescribed. A flanged end 76of link 72 associated with link 86 is pivotally connected to a groovedelement 22 of a rib 18 of an endmost plate of the series of three plates12 in the same fashion as another link 72 associated with link 74 ispivotally connected to opposed ribs 18 of intermediate and endmostplates 12 in the manner aforedescribed.

Device 10' can be assembled about a pole P such as aforedescribed fordevice 10, upon disconnection of bolt-nut assembly of each linksubassembly 70 thereof. The pivotal connections between links of linksubassembly 70, e.g., between links 72 and 74, advantageously maximizethe overall flexibility of the device without adversely affecting theplacement of device 10' about pole P at A during use of the device. Byvirtue of this enhanced flexibility of device 10', it can be readilydrawn into tight clamping engagement about pole P at A when a bolt-nutassembly 87 is passed through aligned apertures 94 of adjacent flanges92 of adjoining links of a given link subassembly 70 and is tightened inconventional fashion. Such flexibility of device 10' also enables it tobe securely clamped to poles P of irregular shape in transverse sectionsuch as oval or elliptical shape without sacrifice of sufficientclamping engagement of device 10' about pole P.

Hence device 10' can mount one or more transformers T without danger ofthe device slipping down pole P or otherwise dislodging.

Although plates 12 and the various links of link subassemblies 16, 16'and 70 of devices 10 and 10' of the instant invention have beendescribed as being of atomate form in transverse section, it is to beunderstood that they could also extend linearly, or various combinationsof arcuate and linear extension could be employed depending upon thecross-sectional configuration of a pole or the like about which thedevice of the instant invention is to be installed. Similarly a plate 12can be of linear shape in transverse section or of combined linear andcirvilinear shape. Moreover, even though upper and lower linksubassemblies such as, e.g., 16 have been provided for a given device10, a single link subassembly can be used. Depending upon the weightand/or length of the transformer or the like to be supported by device10, a single bracket 14 may be merely connected to a given plate 12.

If desired, interconnecting links 74 or 86 could be of curvilinearshape. Instead of a locking strap 80 either end of an opening 78 or 90of a link 74 or 86 could be crimped as indicated at 64 in FIG. 6 orplugged as indicated by plug element 62 in FIG. 3 for retaining theenlarged end 76 of a link 72 in its selected groove 78 or 90 of a link74 or 86.

Advantageous embodiments of a transformer mount have been shown anddescribed. It is obvious that various changes and modifications may bemade therein without departing from the appended claims, wherein:

What is claimed is:

1. A transformer mounting apparatus comprising in combination at leastone bearing plate disposed in bearing engagement with a support pole,said plate being provided with elongated and longitudinally extendingtongue and groove portions at opposite sides thereof, a transformermounting bracket provided with spaced leg elements and the free ends ofsaid leg elements having enlarged rod-like portions which are slidinglyand pivotally disposed in the groove portions on opposite sides of saidplate, means including link elements for securing the plate to thesupport pole, said link elements including certain elements which areprovided with rod-like portions that also are slidingly and pivotallydisposed in the said groove portions on opposite sides of said platealong with the leg elements of the transformer mounting bracket andadjustable bolt means engageable with said link elements for tightlyclamping said bracket said plate and said link elements against saidsupport pole.

2. A transformer mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including aplurality of bearing plates with each of said plates being provided withelongated and longitudinally extending tongue and groove portions atopposite sides thereof for attachment either to a transformer bracket orto link elements.

3. A transformer mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 whereincertain of said link elements are of approximately S-shapedconfiguration in transverse section and others of said link elements areprovided with longitudinally spaced grooved portions which interlockwith the S-shaped link elements.

4. A transformer mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 includingdeformed sections on the tongue and groove portions of the plate forpreventing slidable movement of a bracket relative to the plate.

5. A transformer mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 includingpin means disposed in the groove portions of the plate for preventingslidable movement of a bracket relative to the plate.

6. A transformer mounting apparatus comprising in combination aplurality of bearing plates disposed in bearing engagement with asupport pole, each of said plates being provided with elongated andlongitudinally extending tongue and groove portions at opposite sidesthereof, a generally U-shaped transformer mounting bracket associatedwith each of said plates and provided with spaced leg elements and thefree ends of said leg elements having enlarged rod-like portions whichare slidingly and pivotally disposed in the groove portions on oppositesides of their associated plate, means including link elements forsecuring each of the plates to the pole, said link elements includingcertain elements which are provided with rod-like portions that also arepivotally and slidingly disposed in said groove portions on oppositesides of said plates along with the leg elements of the transformermounting bracket and adjustable bolt means for clamping said plates saidbrackets and said link elements against said pole.

7. A transformer mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 6 whereincertain of said link elements are of approximately S-shapedconfiguration in transverse section and others of said link elements areprovided with longitudinally spaced grooved portions which interlockwith the S-shaped link elements.

8. A transformer mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 6 includingdeformed sections on the tongue and groove portions of a plate forpreventing slidable movement of a bracket relative to the last mentionedplate.

9. A transformer mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 6 includingpin means disposed in the groove portions of a plate for preveningslidable movement of a bracket relative to the last mentioned plate.

10. A transformer mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 6 whereinsaid plates said brackets and said link elements are made in the formoflight metal extrusions. IF i 1 l

1. A transformer mounting apparatus comprising in combination at leastone bearing plate disposed in bearing engagement with a support pole,said plate being provided with elongated and longitudinally extendingtongue and groove portions at opposite sides thereof, a transformermounting bracket provided with spaced leg elements and the free ends ofsaid leg elements having enlarged rod-like portions which are slidinglyand pivotally disposed in the groove portions on opposite sides of saidplate, means including link elements for securing the plate to thesupport pole, said link elements including certain elements which areprovided with rod-like portions that also are slidingly and pivotallydisposed in the said groove portions on opposite sides of said platealong with the leg elements of the transformer mounting bracket andadjustable bolt means engageable with said link elements for tightlyclamping said bracket said plate and said link elements against saidsupport pole.
 2. A transformer mounting apparatus as set forth in claim1 including a plurality of bearing plates with each of said plates beingprovided with elongated and longitudinally extending tongue and grooveportions at opposite sides thereof for attachment either to atransformer bracket or to link elements.
 3. A transformer mountingapparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein certain of said link elementsare of approximately S-shaped configuration in transverse section andothers of said link elements are provided with longitudinally spacedgrooved portions which interlock with the S-shaped link elements.
 4. Atransformer mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 includingdeformed sections on the tongue and groove portions of the plate forpreventing slidable movement of a bracket relative to the plate.
 5. Atransformer mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including pinmeans disposed in the groove portions of the plate for preventingslidable movement of a bracket relative to the plate.
 6. A transformermounting apparatus comprising in combination a plurality of bearingplates disposed in bearing engagement with a support pole, each of saidplates being provided with elongated and longitudinally extending tongueand groove portions at opposite sides thereof, a generally U-shapedtransformer mounting bracket associated with each of said plates andprovided with spaced leg elements and the free ends of said leg elementshaving enlarged rod-like portions which are slidingly and pivotallydisposed in the groove portions on opposite sides of their associatedplate, means including link elements for securing each of the plates tothe pole, said link elements including certain elements which areprovided with rod-like portions that also are pivotally and slidinglydisposed in said groove portions on opposite sides of said plates alongwith the leg elements of the transformer mounting bracket and adjustablebolt means for clamping said plates said brackets and said link elementsagainst said pole.
 7. A transformer mounting apparatus as set forth inclaim 6 wherein certain of said link elements are of approximatelyS-shaped configuration in transverse section and others of said linkelements are provided with longitudinally spaced grooved portions whichinterlock with the S-shaped link elements.
 8. A transformer mountingapparatus as set forth in claim 6 including deformed sections on thetongue and groove portions of a plate for preventing slidable movementof a bracket relative to the last mentioned plate.
 9. A transformermounting apparatus as set forth in claim 6 including pin means disposedin the groove portions of a plate for prevening slidable movement of abracket relative to the last mentioned plate.
 10. A transformer mountingapparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said plates said brackets andsaid link elements are made in the form of light metal extrusions.